Stocking-stretcher.



w. E. McCARTHY.

STOCKING STRETCHEB.

APPLICATION FILED APR.l9|19I].

1,284,738. Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

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ATTORNEY s ar is;

WILLIAM E. MCCARTHY, 0F SALEM, OHIO.

STOCKING-STRETOHER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. MCCAR- THY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Salem, in the county of Columbiana and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stocking- Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in stocking stretchers and the principal object of the invention is to provide simple and efiicicnt means for stretching the stocking while the same is being dried after being washed. Another object of the invention is to provide means for hanging the stretcher on a line or the like, so the same cannot be blown off the line and yet allowing the stretcher to be readily placed on the line or removed therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for opening the stretcher by manipulating the top thereof after the stocking is on the form to stretch the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation and one which can be manufactured and placed on the market at a minimum cost.

The invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts,'to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of one form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a view of a slightly different form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a section on line H of Fig. 1.

In these figures, 1 represents the stretcher made in the shape of a stocking and divided longitudinally into two parts 2 and 3. These parts are connected together at their lower ends by means of a coil spring 4 located in recesses formed in the parts and this spring tends to draw the two parts together. 5 indicates a fulcrum pin having screw threaded Specification of Letters Patent. Patented NOV; 12, 1918.

Application filed April is, 1917.

Serial No. 163,211.

engagement with one part and its other end restmg in a recess 6 in the other part. At its upper end the part 3 is provided with a cut-away portion or recess 7, while the upper end of the part 2 has a reduced portion 8 with its wall flaring upwardly and outwardly to increase the thickness of the eX- treme end of they part 2v so that this end is of substantially wedge shape, and I form grooves 9 in the inclined face thereof, as shown. 10 is a loop formed of wire encircling the two ends and lying in the recess 7 and engaging with any one of the grooves 9 of the other part, thus providing means for bringing said ends of the parts 2 and 3 together, so as to force the lower ends of the parts of the form apart against the action of the spring 4 and the amount of movement thereof is regulated according to which of the grooves 9 the loop engages. The wire forming this loop is bent and extends parallel with the side of the form and is provided with an'open loop 11 having its end bent outwardly, as at 12, for engaging a clothes line or the like.

When it is desired to stretch the leg portion of the stocking, I may provide a movable piece 13 secured to the upper part of the portion 3 by means of the coil spring 14; secured in holes formed in the parts 13 and 3 for holding said part 13 against the part 3 and at its upper end the part 3 has a hole 15 therein, through which passes a bolt 16 having its head lying in a hole 17 in the part 13 and its other end in screw threaded engagement with the part 2, so that as the parts 2 and 3 are brought together at their upper ends by means of the loop, the part 13 will be held in fixed relation to the part 2, by the head of the bolt engaging with the recess 14 in the leg stretchlng part 13. In the form shown in Fig. 3, I omit this leg stretching part and simply form the two parts 2 and 3 with enlarged portions for engaging with the leg of the stocking.

I may so locate the grooves 9 that when the loop is in one groove the stretcher is adapted to fit a stocking of a certain size and when located in another groove it will fit the next size stocking, and I may have indicating marks opposite the grooves for indicating what size stocking each groove is adapted for.

The loop 10 is pushed all the way down, so as to allow the spring to bring the foot portions of the form together. The stocking is then placed on the form and then by moving the loop upwardly the form is opened so as to stretch the stocking and the form with the stocking thereon may then be placed on the clothes line to dry.

The loop 12 is so formed that it will readily engage the line and the said line will run parallel to the side of the stretcher and will bear against the same so as to hold. the device on the line.

It is thought from the foregoing that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make slight changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A stocking stretcher comprising a form composed of two parts, a fulcrum pin arranged between the two parts, spring means for normally holding the parts together at the foot ends thereof and means for holding the portions apart at any desired distance against the action of the spring means.

2. A stocking stretcher comprising a form composed of two parts, a fulcrum pin between the two parts, spring means for normally holding the foot ends of the form together, a loop surrounding the upper end of the parts of the form, one of said parts hav ing an inclined face having grooves therein for receiving the loop.

3. A stocking stretcher comprising a form composed of a front and rear part, means for moving the lower ends of the parts away from each other, a leg part, a spring for holding said leg on said rear part, and means for holding said leg part in fixed relation to the front part when the upper ends of the front and rear parts are moved toward each other.

i. A stocking stretcher comprising a form composed of a front and rear part a fulcrum pin between the two parts spring means for normally holding the foot end of the form together, means for forcing said lower ends apart, a leg stretching part, sprin means for holding said leg stretching part to the rear part of the form and a bolt carried by the front of the form for engag ing .with said leg stretching part for holding the same in fixed relation to said front part.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM E. MGCARTHY.

Witnesses G. H. OBRIEN, MARY OBRIEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

